Nothing about us, without us.
One of the more important and greatest rights of being a United States citizen is voting. The ability to take part in decision making, regardless of which way you lean politically. The Constitution grants people the right to have their vote counted in elections. Regardless of race, religion, gender, or any other identifier, each vote counts the same and allows you to express your wants and desires for how best to proceed. Especially important for people with disabilities. As a member of one of the largest minorities in America, approximately 20% of Americans have a disability, it is important to be involved with decisions that will have an impact on you.
Who Can Vote?
To register to vote in Michigan, an individual must:
☑ Be a Michigan resident
☑ Be a United States citizen
☑ 17.5 years of age and 18 by Election Day to vote (eligible 16- and 17-year-olds can pre-register to vote)
☑ Not be currently serving a sentence in jail or prison
Have Questions About Voting?
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Are you registered to vote? Yes, no, unsure..?
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Need to register?
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Are you registered to vote absentee or in person?
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Do you want to request an absentee ballot? You don't need to give a reason.
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Do you need assistance voting?
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Are you aware that every polling place has a Voter Assist Terminal (VAT) that anyone can use?
This
Michigan Voter Information
Visit https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index to answer:
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Am I registered?
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Where can I drop off my absentee ballot?
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Where can I vote? Provides:
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Election Day location and times
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Early Voting location and times
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Voting Equipment information
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What's on my ballot?
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Get Registered
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Visit https://www.michigan.gov/sos/elections/voting/register-to-vote to register, until October 19, 2026
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Register at your city/township clerk any time. Locate yours here: Visit https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index/#yourclerk
Request an absentee ballot
Online until 5:00 pm, the Friday before election
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Request here: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/AVApplication/Index
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Request an electronic accessible absentee ballot here: https://mi.omniballot.us/sites/26/absentee/app/home
Until 4:00 pm, day before the election
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Request at your city/township clerk's office.
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Locate yours here: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index/#yourclerk
Submit an absentee ballot
Return to your city/township clerk by 8:00 pm, the day of the election
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Locate the office or drop box location here: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index/#yourclerk
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Only the following people are authorized to deliver to clerk or drop box:
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You
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A family member
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A person residing in your household
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A mail carrier
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An election official
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Voting In-Person - What to Expect
You have the right to vote independently using an accessible voting machine. If you would like to use an accessible voting machine, tell an election official when you arrive to vote.
You have the right to assistance from the election officials. You can ask the election officials for instructions on how to use the voting equipment or assistance at any time, even after you’ve entered the voting booth.
If you are blind, disabled, or unable to read or write, you have the right to assistance from anyone you choose. However, the person cannot be:
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Your employer
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An agent of your employer
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An officer or agent of your labor union
Election officials must consider accessibility inside the polling place. You should find:
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Adequate lighting and seating
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At least 1 voting station that can accommodate a person who is seated
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Access to a Voter Assist Terminal
Accessible Voting
A Voter Assist Terminal (VAT) is an electronic voting machine that is available to every voter regardless of ability. All you have to do is ask a poll worker.
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State and federal law requires a VAT at every polling place and early voting site.
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Every VAT is required to meet state and federal accessibility standards.
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You are not required to give a reason why you want to use a VAT.
The VAT provides the following features to assist those with disabilities:
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Audio guidance and screen reader
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Text adjustments for vision needs - size, contrast, and brightness
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Physical keypad with raised markings
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Port for personal assistive input devices
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Touchscreen
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Wheelchair accessible
Like using a paper ballot, you can expect to:
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Have complete privacy - nobody has the right to know how you've voted
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Vote at your own pace - everyone can take as much time as they need
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Be able to ask anyone you want to help you, except:
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Your employer
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An agent of your employer
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An officer or agent of your union if you are a member of one
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Have your ballot counted the same as a paper ballot:
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Complete your ballot on the VAT
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Print the results
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Take the printed ballot to the tabulator
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Voters with disabilities that run into barriers while voting can contact:
Michigan Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections
517-335-2730
Disability Rights Michigan
800-288-5923
TTY: 517-374-4687
Voter Assist Terminal